He was at first
confined in a prison ship, but a Masonic brother named John Archer
procured him the liberty of the city on parole. His rank, we believe,
was that of a lieutenant. He was a prisoner two years, then was
allowed to go home to die. He exhibited every symptom of poison as
well as starvation.
When he was dying he said to his son, Jonathan Gillett, Junior,
"Should you enlist and be taken prisoner as I was, inquire for
Mr. John Archer, a man with whom I boarded. He will assist you."
In course of time his son enlisted, was taken prisoner, and confined
in the Old Sugar House on Liberty Street. Here he was nearly starved
to death. The prisoners ate mice, rats, and insects. He one day found
in the prison yard the dry parings of a turnip which seemed to him a
delicious banquet. It is recorded that Jonathan Gillett, Jr., was
finally freed from captivity through the efforts of the same
gentleman, Mr. John Archer, who had aided his father.
In 1852 Jacob Barker offered to present survivors who had been
confined in the Old Sugar House with canes made from the lumber used
in its construction. Four of these survivors were found. Their names
were William Clark, Samuel Moulton, Levi Hanford, and Jonathan
Gillett, Jr. The latter's father during his confinement wrote a letter
to his friends which has been preserved, and is as follows:
My Friends,
No doubt my misfortunes have reached your ears.
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